Active inlet turbine control

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for active inlet turbine control. The systems and methods may include receiving a plurality of signals, determining a temperature gradient across an inlet of a gas turbine engine, and transmitting an activation signal to a modulating valve. Each of the plurality of signals may correspond to a temperature measured by one of a plurality of sensors located proximate the inlet of the gas turbine engine. The temperature gradient across the inlet of the gas turbine engine may be determined based on the plurality of signals. The activation signal may be operative to open or close the modulating valve based on the temperature gradient.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A system educing a gradient of an inlet composition parameter, the system comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 receive a plurality of signals, each of the plurality of signals corresponding to the inlet composition parameter measured by one of a plurality of sensors located proximate an inlet of a gas turbine engine, 
 determine the gradient of the inlet composition parameter across the inlet of the gas turbine engine based on the plurality of signals, and 
 activate a modulating valve via an activation signal transmitted to the modulating valve, the activation signal operative to open or close the modulating valve based on the gradient. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , transmitting the activation signal to the modulating valve includes instruction that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to transmit the activation signal to one of a plurality of modulation valves. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of modulation valves is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the activation signal to the modulating valve includes instruction that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to open the modulating valve in response to the gradient exceeding a preset value. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the activation signal to the modulating valve include instruction that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to close the modulating valve in response to the gradient being below a preset value. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet composition parameter is one of oxygen, relative humidity, or absolute humidity. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein activation of the modulating valve includes injecting a composition adjustment medium into the inlet of the gas turbine engine via the modulating valve. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the composition adjustment medium includes at least one of exhaust gas, compressor bleed air, water, or a chilling medium.